Dr. Hadeel Alrohaif: “ The registration of Elevidys in Kuwait is a crucial step in our efforts to enhance the lives of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. The treatment targets the genetic cause of DMD condition.”
Dr. Sara Alenezi: “Kuwait's swift registration of DMD gene therapy ahead of developed countries is a testament to the dedication to pediatric care.”
Mr. Faisal Al Mutawa: “The swift registration of Elevidys is a great example of our excellent cooperation with the regulatory authority at the Ministry of Health, and our commitment to providing access to innovative treatment for every patient in Kuwait.”
Kuwait, June 23, 2024: In partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW), and the Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche, announced today the successful registration and introduction of Elevidys to Kuwait, the first approved disease-modifying therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic muscle-wasting disease.
This achievement is part of the ongoing collaboration between the parties that aims to bring the latest advancements and cutting-edge therapies to Kuwait’s healthcare sector, address unmet medical needs, and improve the quality of life for patients in the country.
Elevidys is designed to address the underlying cause of Duchenne. It targets skeletal, respiratory, and cardiac muscle expression of shortened dystrophin. The innovative therapy is a one-time treatment administered through a single intravenous dose, and represents a significant milestone in the field of Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, providing a convenient and effective solution for patients in Kuwait.
Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre Clinical Genetics Specialist, Dr. Hadeel Alrohaif, said, “As healthcare providers dedicated to serving patients with rare genetic disorders, we are thrilled about the registration of Elevidys as a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This milestone directly targets the genetic cause of the condition, adding hope for improved outcomes. The registration of Elevidys in Kuwait is a crucial step in our efforts to enhance the lives of DMD patients. We eagerly anticipate its positive impact on their well-being and quality of life.”
Adan Hospital Consultant Pediatric Neurologist and Head of Pediatric Neurology, Dr. Sara Alenezi, said, "Kuwait's swift registration of DMD gene therapy ahead of developed countries is a testament to the dedication to pediatric care. It demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the urgent needs of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, setting a commendable example for other nations in improving outcomes for pediatric patients worldwide."
Roche Country Manager, Ahmed Tawfik, stated, “Roche is proud to collaborate with the Kuwait Ministry of Health and AAW in serving patients with DMD and all patients in Kuwait. Our shared commitment to improving healthcare and providing innovative solutions drives us to work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of patients.”
AAW CEO and Chairman, Mr. Faisal Al Mutawa said, "Our partnership with Roche for over 70 years and our commitment to the Kuwait healthcare community has made us pioneers in leading Kuwait's healthcare landscape and introducing innovative medications. The swift registration of Elevidys is a great example of our excellent cooperation with the regulatory authority at the Ministry of Health, and our commitment to enhancing patient care and providing access to innovative treatment for every patient in Kuwait.
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. It is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system.
AAW is one of the largest trading and commercial companies in Kuwait and operates in multiple consumer, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors. The company’s pharmaceutical division is one of the company’s oldest divisions with operations spanning over 70 years and a portfolio of global products from global pharmaceutical companies, such as Roche. It is also one of the major suppliers to the Ministry of Health, hospitals and pharmacies in Kuwait.
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[Ali Aboelneil]
[Corporate Communication Lead-Roche Gulf Cluster]
About ELEVIDYS™
Elevidys™ (delandistrogene moxeparvovec, also known as SRP-9001) is the first approved disease-modifying therapy for Duchenne and is designed to address the underlying cause of Duchenne through targeted skeletal, respiratory, and cardiac muscle expression of shortened dystrophin produced by Elevidys. Elevidys is a one-time treatment administered through a single (one-time) intravenous dose. Elevidys is contraindicated in patients with any deletion in exons 8 and/or 9 in the DMD gene.
Elevidys received accelerated approval in the US in June 2023, in the United Arab Emirates in August 2023 and in Qatar in September 2023 for the treatment of ambulant children aged 4 through 5 years with Duchenne, who have a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene.
About Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne is a rare, genetic, muscle-wasting disease that progresses rapidly from early childhood. Approximately 1 in 3,500 - 5,000 boys worldwide are born with Duchenne, while Duchenne in girls is very rare. Everyone who has Duchenne will lose the ability to walk, upper limb, lung and cardiac function and mean life expectancy is 28 years. A diagnosis of DMD will require full-time caregiving.
which is most often provided by parents, the majority of whom will find it difficult to carry out usual work or household activities and suffer from depression and physical pain.
Duchenne is caused by mutations of the DMD gene, which affects the production of the muscle protein, dystrophin. Dystrophin is a critical component of a protein complex that strengthens muscle fibers and protects them from injury during muscle contraction. Due to a genetic mutation in the DMD gene, people with Duchenne do not make functional dystrophin; their muscle cells are more sensitive to injury and muscle tissue is progressively replaced with scar tissue and fat.
About Roche in Neuroscience
Neuroscience is a major focus of research and development at Roche. Our goal is to pursue groundbreaking science to develop new treatments that help improve the lives of people with chronic and potentially devastating diseases.
Roche is investigating more than a dozen medicines for neurological disorders, including neuromuscular diseases: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy; neuro immune diseases: multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; and neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Together with our partners, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding to solve some of the most difficult challenges in neuroscience today.
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global.
leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalized healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from clinical practice.
In recognizing our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
